Basset

Basset (Fr., 'dwarf'), a name used with some latitude in France for any very short-legged dogs, but specially for various breeds of sporting dogs resembling (though considerably larger than) the Dachshund (q.v.), known in France as basset allemand, as distinguished from the basset français. They may be divided into straight-legged and crooked-legged, and these again into rough-haired and smooth-haired. They vary in colour, but are frequently, like fox-hounds, tan on the head, and black and white on the body. Bassets (or basset-hounds) are used for tracking deer, boars, &c., and driving them out of coverts; and are best known as companionable pets.